ACES ON BRIDGE

DEAR MR. WOLFF: In first or second seat with 12 points, how much account should you take of unprotected honors when deciding whether to open? Would it be reasonable to pass, holding ♠ J-4-3-2, ♥ K-Q-4, ♦K, ♣ K-10-6-3-2? If you would always open, would there be any variation on this hand where you might pass? — Mellow Yellow, Vancouver, British Columbia

DEAR READER: I would only pass a 12-count with a five-card suit in it if there were both an awkward rebid and a series of unguarded honors. Here, I can open one club and rebid one spade easily enough, but switch the spades and diamonds, and you might sell me on an initial pass.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I find opening leads the most difficult part of the game — especially against slams. Please give me some advice about when to lead aces and when to lead trumps against slams. — Panacea, Tucson, Ariz.

DEAR READER: When looking for a passive lead, a trump can sometimes be the most effective — especially from weak length or after a key-card auction where you know the opponents have the trump queen. Against a small slam, it pays to be active, unless your hand suggests you have two possible tricks, or you know suits aren’t breaking. The more long suits the opponents have shown, the more attractive an ace lead becomes.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: I recently held ♠ K-Q-J-8-63-2, ♥ A-5-3, ♦ 10, ♣ J-2 and, at unfavorable vulnerability, bid only three spades over my RHO’s three-diamond pre-empt. Would you do that or bid four spades? Regardless, LHO jumped to six diamonds, and everybody passed. What would you lead? — Hot Spot, West Palm Beach, Fla.

DEAR READER: Yes three spades is enough, and as to my opening lead, you could sell me on the heart ace or a low heart (the latter if I want to get my name in the paper, or in the obituaries should it fail). A top spade will surely accomplish nothing.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: When you pick up this hand: ♠ A-Q-J-9, ♥ 7-2, ♦ Q-4, ♣ K-10-9-7-2, and hear your RHO open one heart, what is the range of sensible options available to you? Would vulnerability or the question of whether partner was a passed hand matter? — Coming Through the

Rye, Lynchburg, Va.

DEAR READER: The best moment to act is now, before the opponents have described or limited their hands. Double is unappealing because a two-diamond response leaves you so awkwardly placed. Maybe overcalling one spade is wiser than bidding two clubs with such a poor suit.

DEAR MR. WOLFF: What is your approach with a strong three-suited hand in the range 19-24 with a singleton ace or king? Does it matter if the singleton is in a major as opposed to a minor? — Tightrope Walker, Twin Falls, Idaho

DEAR READER: With hands in the range 21-22, I might open two no-trump with a singleton high honor. I admit, though, that the advantage of bidding a minor and hearing a response is that the discussion starts two rounds lower. You will be surprised at how often you get to slams you would have missed after a two-notrump opener. With a small singleton, I might open a minor instead, I suppose.

If you would like to contact Bobby Wolff, email him at bobbywolff@mindspring.com

BOBBY WOLFF